A variety of extra curricular activities are available from the New Barn Rangers and Crew to compliment group’s educational programmes. (All prices + VAT)

With thanks to the NMMT & Natural England

THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

Pottery: Make your very own masterpiece in our Pottery workshop– maybe a small animal, ornament, or a coil pot, and have it ‘fired & glazed’ ready for you to take home. See a demonstration from our master potter Russel Sydenham and visit the Pottery showroom. Items for sale in the shop start at £1.50 upwards.

£3.00 per pupil

Animal Encounters: A fascinating interactive talk about amphibians, reptiles and world conservation issues by a local world renowned herpetologist. The talk will be accompanied by a couple of exotic guests who can usually be touched if you wish and are brave enough!!

£50.00 per session

Orienteering: The New Barn Rangers are trained by the British Orienteering Federation to provide on-site courses for groups. The full session includes a classroom introduction and up to three “star” orienteering courses around the New Barn Site. Wider courses can be arranged here on site if you wish. Orienteering sessions can be tailored to fit from 1 hour to a morning or afternoon.

£2.50 per pupil

Problem Solving / Team Building: Spend a two hour session, morning, afternoon, or evening, focussing on a programme of unusual and entertaining tasks to promote teamwork and listening skills. Your group is likely to end up stuck on a waterless desert island, or trying to hang on to the floating sticks or maybe you will race teams on planks across the play area. £2.50 per pupil

Technology: Design and build a model period house, themed to tie in with your other activities, i.e. Iron Age round houses’ using wood, willow, straw, clay, and glue etc.

£2.50 per pupil

Or make drums using pottery, parchment, handmade string and earth paints etc. each child will be able to take home their own unique handmade drum!

£3.50 per pupil

Story Telling: Sit around the fire in the round house and tell stories of old. Perhaps use the drums you made earlier to add life to the ‘adventure’. The rangers will lead the session and encourage the children to take turns adding to the story or even telling their own perhaps chilling true ghost story?!!

£1.50 per pupil

Shadow Puppet Workshop: A 2hr session where the children create their own puppets out of the materials provided and put on a show to entertain the group! Again themed to suit your programme.

£2.50 per pupil

BBQ & Campfire Spend an evening by the woods sat around the campfire eating BBQ food followed by campfire songs and perhaps a talent show on our ‘Earth Ship’ stage.

Free

‘Shindig’: Spend a lively ‘themed’ evening taking part in contests and/or games and dancing to disco music.

£50 per/ group

Set in the rolling Chalk Down land of West Dorset, New Barn Field Centre boasts many and varied walks in the local area or on-site.

There is NO CHARGE for nature activities accompanied by New Barn Rangers.

THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

Village Study: Compare the village of Bradford Peverell with where you live. Look at how the houses have been made, explore the church and church yard to find out about the old local inhabitants, compare facilities available in your area with those of Bradford Peverell and hear a few entertaining ”local” stories. This can be an art project too.

Nature Walk: A circular two-hour walk (approximately 3.5 miles) around local bridleways and footpaths, through a local farmyard and ancient monument. The walk is quite enjoyable with plenty of nice views, and includes several topics including food and farming, animal welfare, countryside management and conservation.

Maiden Castle Walk: A full day or half-day activity. Maiden Castle (pictured above) is the largest hill-fort in Western Europe – it dates back to Neolithic (Stone Age) Times and took two thousand years to complete. It is still an enormous structure, and it is even today hard to comprehend how it was built using only sticks, stones, and deer antlers!

Perhaps the most strenuous activity undertaken whilst at New Barn, the full walk is a total of seven miles, (three each way and a mile around the middle of the castle). The main purpose of this activity is actually to promote teamwork and introduce children to supporting each other and respecting the environment; the full walk is quite a challenge, but everyone who completes the walk thoroughly enjoys themselves.

The castle itself provides a good introduction or enhancement to any historical studies at New Barn; many groups partake in a little archaeology thanks to the help of moles who live in the earth walls of the castle. A New Barn Ranger ALWAYS accompanies this activity. Groups may opt to only walk half the distance, in which case a coach or transport will be required.

New Barn Animal Walk: A one-hour session. Accompanied by a New Barn Ranger, the group walks around the New Barn Site and meets the animals, feeding a few of them if appropriate. New Barn has a changing selection of animals each year, although some of our friends have lived here a very long time!

The Wild Flower Meadow and Permaculture Plot: A two hour or half day activity. From May to July the Wild Flower Meadow on site at New Barn is at its best. The meadow is the result of planting 150 Million seeds - children are introduced to the fact that Britain has lost 97% of its wild flowers – and encouraged to look at the countryside around New Barn, and enjoy studying the unique environment. The Permaculture Plot with its Forest Garden, Eco-House, and Compost Toilet provides an introduction to sustainable living and caring for the environment.

The rivers and streams of Dorset are an important part of the countryside. There are two rivers locally, the Frome and the Piddle (sometimes called Trent). Other rivers in Dorset include the Stour, Allen, and Brit.

The River Frome meanders through the Dorset Countryside via the village of Bradford Peverell, through Wareham and out into Poole Harbour and the English Channel.

The River Piddle created a lot of controversy in Victorian Times when the villages named after the river were renamed “puddle” in respect of the Queen’s route through them – so Affpiddle, Tolpiddle, and Piddletown became Affpuddle, Tolpuddle, and Puddletown – however those villages such as Piddlehinton and Piddletrenthide not on the route of the Royal Visit kept their original names.

There are several options for studying freshwater environments at New Barn. Full Risk Assessments are available. Groups should always be accompanied by a New Barn Ranger. If studying rivers the Ranger will carry a throw bag in case rescue is required.

THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

Pond Dipping: There are three different ponds on site at New Barn. The one near the Vivarium (Reptiles and Amphibians) in our nature area has been set up so that groups can have access over the water and safely explore the pond with nets and “Aqua Scopes”. A range of nets, study dishes, and spotter sheets is available.

There is no charge for pond dipping.

River Studies: Thanks to the generosity of a local landowner, groups from New Barn Field Centre have unrestricted access to a water meadow in the village which banks onto the River Frome, and a shallow stream. This location is ideal for studying river flows, levels, and content, and comparing the two environments.

There is a charge of £2.50/child.

Other Programme Ideas: It is possible to build other programme activities into group’s programmes such as tracing the route of the River Frome from its source to the sea. This could include a short stop at Evershot en-route to New Barn, a River Path Walk and lunch at Wareham, and ends with a Harbour Cruise around Poole Harbour. Prices will vary according to the activities – transport is required for all these options.

The County of Dorset is rich with spectacular coastal scenery, much of which has recently been designated WORLD HERITAGE STATUS making it as important as the Grand Canyon or Great Barrier Reef.

A wide variety of coastal study options are available to groups staying at New Barn – the coast is never more than an hour away, whether travelling to Poole in east of the county, Lulworth/Studland in the south, or Charmouth in the west.

THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AS HALF OR FULL DAY ACTIVITIES

Charmouth Heritage Centre and the Jurassic Coast: Devon and the West Dorset Coast was once home to the dinosaurs and millions of years of history can be seen and collected in the form of fossils and other finds. Accompanied by a Dorset Coastal Ranger, this half-day activity includes an audiovisual introduction to the Jurassic Coast, and a tour along the beach fossil hunting. (£2.50/child +coach)

Weymouth Beach and Sea Life Park: The Edwardian seaside resort of Weymouth provides a traditional seaside environment, and is also home to Weymouth Sea Life Park. The park offers a variety of tours and talks including rays, sharks, and conservation issues. Admission is only £4.00/child. Groups may opt to visit Weymouth as a half or full day activity; most groups enjoy time on the beach or shopping. (Transport required)

Lulworth Cove Heritage Centre: Owned by the Weld family since 1641, the Lulworth Estate is internationally known for its spectacular coastal scenery and geology. Lulworth Heritage Centre Wardens provide a range of themed activities including a Minitour, studies of Rocks and Landforms, Habitats and Ecology, or Tourism and Conservation. The Cove also provides some exercise over the hill to the stunning Durdle Door. (Prices range from minimum charges of £10.00, £25.00, or £45.00 per group depending on the session booked, plus transport.)

Studland: The eastern extremity of the Jurassic Coast provides a sand dune system dating back over four thousand years. The superb sandy beach is exciting for everyone and home to all six British Reptiles. National Trust Wardens or New Barn Rangers can provide entertaining educational studies. There is also a study centre available for hire. (Free entry via NT membership, study centre and NT wardens extra cost, + coach)

Poole and Brownsea Island: The second largest natural harbour in the world provides the backdrop to a day in Poole whether exploring the busy quayside and discussing its maritime history, studying a harbour beach, or hopping on a boat around the harbour for a cruise, there is something for everyone. From April to September it is possible to stop off on Brownsea Island and maybe see a red squirrel, do a Smugglers Trail, and have some fun in the study centre. (Free entry via NT membership, boat trip is around £4.50 per person, + coach)

New Barn’s RECONSTRUCTED IRON AGE HOMESTEAD provides a great base for studying history and the way people lived in the past.

The Homestead comprises several buildings made to traditional designs. Some are more experimental than others; all are usable and functional, enabling a wide period of history to be taught, from the Neolithic Stone Age through to the Saxons. Themed projects based around food, materials or different technologies are also available.

A range of different options is available, either with assistance from New Barn Rangers or historical interpreters, or on a self-guided basis.

THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

Living History: A “Taste”, a “Flavour”, or a “Feast” of Living History from any period; Neolithic, Iron Age, Romano-British, Viking or Saxon, accompanied by an historical interpreter, or a New Barn Ranger.

A “Taste” is a one hour session,. A “Flavour” is a half day session, and a “Feast” is a full day, from 9.30am – 3.00pm

All sessions are based in different buildings according to the historical period being studied; there are examples of Iron Age Roundhouses, or square “Long Huts” that can date from a later or even earlier period.

Other enhancements include a few animals, experimental areas showing clamp kilns for firing pottery, pyres for burning charcoal, and several different smaller buildings for various uses.

All the buildings within the homestead were constructed by our own staff, and demonstrate how different materials can be used successfully.

As well as working within and/or touring the homestead, groups will take part in a variety of different activities depending on the time of year, numbers in the group, and the weather. These may include wheat grinding, jewellery making, or working with wool or other materials.

Living History Sessions are priced at £3.50 for a one hour tour, £5.00 half day, or £6.50 full day.

Nearby Activities: Groups may also opt to visit other local attractions including
Dorset County Museum, ~ A varied collection of local artefacts, including many finds from Maiden Castle, or Roman Dorchester. A book able hands-on session is available.

Maiden Castle, ~ The largest hill-fort in Western Europe where remains of Celtic Skeletons and Roman weapons were found; the castle also features the remains of a Roman Temple.

Dorchester’s Roman Town House with marvellous mosaics & hypocausts is well worth a look or even the Tutenkhamun Exhibition may be of interest to those who are studying/comparing life with the Egyptians. Prices on request. Transport required.

Swanage began life as a fishing village. After nearby Corfe Castle was destroyed during the English Civil War the port became the focus of the local Purbeck Stone Industry, which at its peak during the 19^th Century shipped thousands of tons of stone on a fleet of seventy sailing ships.

Two local people, John Mowlem and George Burt made their fortunes in Victorian London and decorated their hometown with a variety of relics from Old London. Highlights include parts of old London bridges, the original Billingsgate Market, The Stock Exchange and an archway from Hyde Park Corner.

The coming of the railway in 1885 made Swanage a successful seaside resort virtually overnight. During the summer months it is still possible to travel part of the journey by steam train.

Poole has a more varied history, dating back to Neolithic times – it has always been a working port, developing heavily during the 16^th – 19^th Centuries. Its Conservation Area in the Old Town hosts some very stylish buildings related to the town’s rich maritime history, and includes Scaplen’s Court – a merchants house that has been tastefully restored and converted into a Victorian museum. (There is also a large complex of landscaped gardens with guided walks and talks at Compton Acres )

New Barn Field Centre includes a Bygones Exhibition of Victorian household and farming tools, such as those that would have featured during the time that “Silas Foggerty” lived and worked at the farm.

The following programme ideas are now available; the elements of which can be selected individually, or as a whole day’s activities.

Swanage and Durlston – Victorian Tour

Walk from Swanage via the Dorset Coast Path up the hill to Durlston Country Park where a Dorset Coastal Ranger leads an historical tour of Durlston through the ages. Study the history of quarrying through the 1800’s; discuss the eccentric owner of Durlston in 1862, George Burt.

Scaplens Court – Victorian Kitchen or School Room

A morning or afternoon session led by historical interpreter from Poole Museums Service.

Bygone Ways Evening – “A Day In The Life of Farmer Foggerty”

Return to New Barn for an evening of fun and entertainment based around role-play using a selection of Victorian Bygones.

Wherever possible a New Barn Ranger should be available to accompany groups for days out (at no extra charge) to provide local support.